2025 has been a great year for the Horror genre, and so far this is my favourite of the year. A terrific mystery-thriller, infused with the same darkly humorous sense of wit that the director’s previous film – BARBARIAN – deployed so ably. A non-spoiler-y synopsis follows (this doesn’t give away anything that isn’t on the poster.)
Following the unexplainable mass disappearance of a class of school children, who all run into the dark, late one night, tensions between the parents, teachers and police all run high. Told from multiple character perspectives (with an excellent cast), the bizarre and horrifying truth of what happened that night is slowly revealed.
As I said at the start, it’s best experienced knowing nothing about the mystery. This is a real crazy ride of a movie. Slow burn at the start with a great sense of creeping dread and some really great tension-building, which culminates in some terrific scary moments. I saw it in a fairly packed cinema and the atmosphere in audience for some scenes was incredible – I think I myself made some involuntary shrieks at one particular scene.
But the reason it’s so great is the horror is balanced quite brilliantly by a knowing sense of humour. There’s some great character moments and like his previous film, it has lots of fun making sly comments about the nature of relationships. That’s helped by a stacked cast of top-notch actors headed by Julia Garner, Josh Brolin and Alden Ehrenreich. In places it feels more like an indie arthouse-drama, which only helps contrast with the more bonkers horror moments that happen as we get deeper into the story.
I don’t really want to write much more about it, because by this stage you should go and see it (or if you don’t like scary movies – don’t!) It’s definitely a fun movie to discuss afterwards with your friends – which I did for a hour or two afterwards. Go in blind, and enjoy what might well be the best horror movie of the year!
